Victoria’s choice in cooling systems have become the ducted evaporative coolers as they can generally provide adequate cooling to the entire household. A popular choice for cooling smaller rooms and for providing spot cooling, Victorians seem to be going with window mounted and portable evaporative coolers.

HOW DOES AN EVAPORATIVE COOLER WORK?:

An Evaporative cooler works by drawing in the warm outside air via water filter pads. These pads are supplied with water found in a tank at the bottom on the unit. The water from these pads evaporates, drawing heat from the air and humidifies it. This air is now cooled and moist and is blown through out the home or space.

COST OF RUNNING AN EVAPORATIVE COOLING UNIT:

Both electricity and water are required to run an evaporative cooling unit. Approximate maximum hourly running costs for how much electricity it may use are provided below, however actual costs will depend on the cooling capacity of the unit and the fan speed that it is being run on.

portable units cost 2 to 3 cents per hour

window/wall-mounted units cost 6 to 7 cents per hour

ducted units (medium size) cost 12 to 28 cents per hour.

WATER CONSUMPTION FOR YOUR EVAPORATIVE COOLING UNIT:

The amount of water used is dependable on the amount of humidity that day and the fan speed that you have set your unit to. A portable unit may use up to approximately 4 litres an hour in comparison to a central system which can use up to 25 litres an hour.

A ducted evaporative cooler has to refresh its supply of water in order to ensure it doesn’t become too salty, so there are a range of water management systems being uses depending on the model you have got. Therefore we suggest that prior to purchasing a unit you ask about the water management system used and what it typically uses in water consumption per hour.

A range of water management systems are used by different brands/models. If you are purchasing a ducted evaporative cooler, ask about the water management system used and what the typical hourly water consumption is likely to be in your area.

WHAT SIZE EVAPORATIVE COOLER IS BEST FOR YOUR HOME?:

Different sized evaporative coolers are suited to different areas depending on the amount of airflow and the volume of the area which you are wanting to be cooled. The best thing for you to do prior to purchasing a unit is to seek an accurate sizing quote from either an installer or from your local retailer. They are trained to best consider your local humidity levels along with the size of your home or space.

TIPS FOR OPERATING AN EVAPORTIVE COOLER

Make sure all windows and doors are being kept open in rooms that are being cooled and ensure the opening is big enough to allow air to flow outside with ease. The effect of cooling will be reduced if there is insufficient openings and may put extra pressure on the fan.

Reduce heat gain by opening windows and doors on the opposite side of the house to the hot prevailing winds where possible

For units that have a timer, set it to switch off the system when cooling is not required for example in the early morning.

On days of high humidity, turn off the water supply to the cooler and run the fan only – this can also be quite effective on still humid evenings if the outside air has cooled down

If you have an questions or are interested in a quote please contact beOnd Plumbing on 1300 599 552.

On the 11th of August Damian from beOnd Plumbing along with Ross from T & T Developments volunteered their time to visit the kinder possums of Goodstart Bundoora Karl Court for a morning of creative and sustainable construction.

Damian and Ross collected scrap materials from their work to build creations suggested by the kinder children. They used PVC pipes, ducts and PVC fittings to make a “Transformer/Robot/Superman” as well as a large castle for the kids to play in. The children got to use tools such as a saw, tape measure and snips to manipulate the materials and hold them together.

Damian discussed what materials he was using, the different shapes and the difference textures of each. The children initiated some great conversations about what they were doing and what they could see and asked many questions about this experience. Ross and Damian were fantastic at explaining the process as they went along as well as getting the children involved in each step along the way.

This activity got the children actively using cognitive skills, fine motor skills, concentration, manipulation and construction. The kinder children at Goodstart Bundoora Karl Court are very proud of their sustainable practices and are constantly finding ways to turn trash into treasure just as they did on this occasion.

The children and the team at Goodstart Bundoora Karl Court were very grateful to Damian and Ross for their efforts and the children are over the moon at the new additions to their room. Damian said “the looks on the kids faces was the best part. Its something i’d love to do again soon”. Such a wonderful morning it was and a fantastic way to give back to the community.

Did you know that it is estimate that each person requires access to a minimum of 20 to 50 liters of water per day for drinking, food preparation, and personal hygiene?

Polluted water isn’t just dirty, it’s deadly. Some 1.8 million people die every year of diseases like cholera. Tens of millions of others are seriously sickened by a host of water-related ailments—many of which are easily preventable.

Here are some ways to ensure you obtain the best drinking water for your homes…

Commercial Cleaners:Commercial cleaners are poured into the main supply pipe. Once you add the chemical additives, you must flush out your water before you start drinking it or bathing in it.
Be aware that chemical cleaners have drawbacks. The strong chemicals used to rid pipes of build up can also begin to deteriorate the pipes themselves. Constant use will slowly eat away at the pipes, thus causing replacement and possible water damage repair due to leaks.Water Softeners: You can keep your water pipes free of minerals by installing a water softener that will circulate the water through a pump that has either a potassium or a salt filter to trap the minerals. You must continually add new salt to the system and clean the filter, but you will see a drastic reduction in the minerals in the water.Lime Removal:Hot water pipes are very susceptible to lime build up. The hot water is the actual cause of the problem. The water will dissolve the lime into a state where it flows freely in the water. When it cools off, any lime left will settle in pipes or the hot water heater, causing a decrease in water flow or a clog.
If you find that this is the problem, empty half of your hot water heater and simply add some lime remover to it. Refill the hot water tank and then let it set for a few minutes. Let the hot water run through all your faucets until the water is clear and free of any bubbles and foam. If you have water that is heavy in lime, you will probably need to repeat this process every few months depending on how much hot water you use.Instal a Filter Tap: Under sink water filters are a popular choice because they provide good filtration and water flow, and they do not clutter the countertop or sink area. A good system can remove contaminants such as arsenic, nitrates, sodium, copper and lead, some organic chemicals, and the municipal additive fluoride. This can be extremely cost effect especially for people who find themselves purchasing bottled water, as the system provides a constant supply of beautiful, clean water right at your kitchen sink. It is important to have a qualified plumber instal your filtration system as it could affect your homes entire water supply.

For more information or for quote on a filter tap in your home please feel free to contact beOnd Plumbing on 1300 599 529.

Meets the expectations and the State’s credentials and education requirements.

Has passed the relevant exams required for a plumbing license.

Has legal authorisation to conduct plumbing services.

Is liable for violating the rules set by the licensing entity.

Ensures that the job is done right the first time.

The risks of NOT hiring a licensed plumber…

The contractor may not have the education, training or skill required to carry out the work.

The uncertainty that the work may not meet the standards.

The quality of the work may be jeopardised.

The risk of broken contracts and fraud.

If a plumber hasn’t bothered to get a license, chances are they didn’t bother with insurance either. A home owner can be liable for all sorts of costs including hospital bills if anyone is inured during the work.

The list could go on and on but there you have some really good points when hiring the right person for the job. Remember that it could cost you double to have something fixed that wasn’t done correctly the first time. And lets not forget that poor quality work could lead to accidents and injuries within our homes and around our families.

For more information or to get a quote feel free to contact us on 1300 599 529 for all your plumbing needs.

If you have a story of plumbing work that went wrong we’d love to hear it… Type it into the comment section below!

One person has died and second has been taken to hospital because of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning at home in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley.
Police are investigating the incident involving a man and woman in Churchill, near Morwell after a family member called them to the house.
They do not believe that the death was suspicious.
The man, who is aged is his 60s, was found dead at the scene and the woman, also in her 60s, was moved to hospital for observation.
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She remained at the Latrobe Regional Hospital in a stable condition on Thursday night.
The pair were found inside the home in Graduation Place at about 3.40pm on Wednesday afternoon.
Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.
Carbon monoxide is a gas that can rise to lethal levels inside houses when possessions such as heaters and portable generators become faulty.
Cars left running in attached garages are another hazard.
Two Shepparton boys, eight-year-old Chase and six-year-old Tyler Robinson, died from carbon monoxide leaking from a gas heater at their rented home in 2010.

Please have your heaters checked by a qualified technician this winter by calling beOnd Plumbing on 1300 599 529.

A SOUTH Morang plumber is on a mission to help Whittlesea and Diamond Valley residents eradicate a potentially “silent killer” in their homes.

Damian De Vincentis knows only too well the risks to people’s health from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Mr De Vincentis established Carbon Monoxide Testing Australia three years ago following his experience with a faulty heater which was leaking carbon monoxide into the air at the property he was staying in with his now wife while on a working holiday in the UK.

“Day after day I would be constantly tired and have a severe headache,” Mr De Vincentis said.

“I would go to work feeling fine, arrive home and then become fatigued and struggle to do anything.

“Luckily for me, the law in the UK requires that any works to gas appliances require testing for carbon monoxide, so when we called in a plumber to fix the heater, he tested the air and told me, a few more days and we could have died in our sleep.”

Mr De Vincentis has joined the public campaign to prevent more carbon monoxide-related deaths through the Chase and Tyler Foundation, which was set up following the deaths of Victorian brothers Chase, 8, and Tyler, 6, who died from carbon monoxide poisoning from their unserviced gas heater in their rental home in 2010. The first week of May is now dedicated to Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week to raise awareness about carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide cannot be seen, felt, smelt or touched and hospitalises more than 364 people each year across Australia.

Mr De Vincentis said he was shocked to see the number of new and old heaters that were emitting dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. “It’s not just old heaters as any heating appliance has the potential to produce carbon monoxide,” he said.

“At the moment there is a lot of complacency out there when it comes to gas appliances.

“There are simple things that homeowners can do to reduce their risks this winter and carbon monoxide poisoning is something that can be prevented

“I can’t stand by and let more parents and children be hospitalised each year when carbon monoxide poisoning can be avoided.”

Recently the CFA has been warning residents to be aware of dodgy smoke detector deals as scam operators have been victimizing the elderly by convincing them to pay extreme amounts of money for smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. An elderly women last month contacted the CFA as her smoke alarm wouldn’t stop going off and explained that a Melbourne based company had installed 5 smoke alarms and 1 carbon monoxide detector once she had signed a contract for $4032. The company she dealt with has been reported to Consumer Affairs.

Smoke alarms are extremely effective in saving lives as are Carbon Monoxide detectors.
Although smoke alarms are simple to install it is not always the case with Carbon Monoxide Detectors so we highly recommend that residence are using qualified technicians for the installation and detection of Carbon Monoxide.

How To Choose The Right Professional To Undertake Your Tests

When choosing a professional to trust with your families health and safety it’s important to:

Choose a professional that is qualified to look after your family’s health. The only registered and licensed professional in the industry are plumbers. Plumbers undertake CO as part of their education and have access to the most up to date training programs. They are required by law to keep up to date with all governing bodies and access to the most up to date research and testing equipment.

Ensure your Plumber is licensed, registered and part of recognized industry associations. To undertake work in domestic premises plumbers must be registered and licensed with the Victorian Building Authority. You can check if your plumber meets these criteria at www.licencerecognition.gov.au. To ensure that your plumber meets the highest standard, ask them if they are a member of the industry association, The Master Plumbers Association.

Establish if they are able to immediately repair any dangerous appliances that you have in your home and give you the required certificates that they are up to standards.

Ask if your testers are able to supply you with quality carbon monoxide monitors to continue to ensure that your family health is checked regularly?

Our partners at Carbon Monoxide Testing Australia are highly qualified and trained when it comes to testing your home or office for Carbon Monoxide and the safe installation of smoke alarms. They can be contacted on 1300 599 529 and are more than happy to answer any question you may have in relation to Carbon Monoxide.

From the 1st of May to the 7th of May it is Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week. And through out this week many local businesses, schools and organizations including ourselves have teamed up with the Chase and Tyler Foundation to raise awareness of carbon monoxide poisoning across Australia and to advise on preventative measures that people can take to reduce the risk.

The Chase & Tyler Foundation are a non for profit, national group who are doing all that they can to reduce the numbers of death, injuries and illness caused by carbon monoxide in Australia every year. Chase & Tyler at the ages of 8 and 6, died from carbon monoxide poisoning from their unserviced gas heater in their rental home in 2010. Since then the Chase & Tyler Foundation have worked extremely hard to eliminate accidental carbon monoxide poisoning throughout Australia by increased awareness, preventative measures, regulation, training and research. Their vision is for zero deaths or injury from accidental Carbon Monoxide poisoning in Australia, and they do in everything in their power to create the kind of awareness to insure this for our futures.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced by the incomplete burning of various fuels, including coal, wood, charcoal, oil, kerosene, propane, and natural gas. It cannot be seen, felt, smelt or touch hence its name ‘The Silent Killer’. It is something that can effect both animals and people and those most susceptible to its effects are usually pregnant women, unborn babies, children, the elderly and people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or respiratory problems. Carbon monoxide can be produced by any appliances that use gas, oil, kerosene, or wood. So as you can see most of us are at risk on a daily basis.

Preventative measures is the best way to keep your families safe this winter and here are some ways to go about it:
– Service all fuel-burning appliances regularly as per the manufacturer’s recommendation or at a minimum of once every two years as recommended by Energy Safe Victoria & the Victorian Building Authority.
– Sweep and inspect chimneys and flues.
– Ensure there is adequate ventilation in the room you are using such appliances
– Call a certified professional to inspect, clean, and tune up the central heating system and make any necessary repairs.
– Have a qualified gasfitter install a high standard audible carbon monoxide alarm outside sleeping and living areas.
– Dont bring an outdoor fuel-burning appliance inside your home/tent or caravan.
– Dont leave your car’s engine running idle in an enclosed space such as your garage.

There are symptoms to be aware of within the home that can alert you of carbon monoxide poisoning such as dizziness, fatigue, head aches, nausea, breathlessness, chest or stomach pain, loss of consciousness, visual disturbances and erratic behavior. Depending on ones age, health and the duration of the exposures the effects of carbon monoxide can vary considerably. It can vary from difficultly breathing, impaired judgment and memory, damage to the nervous system to cardiac trauma, brain damage, coma or even death as we have sadly seen with young Chase and Tyler.

Generally the effects of carbon monoxide are reversible but there have been instances were significant overexposure have lead to permanent damage effecting the nervous system.

Please feel free to contact Carbon Monoxide Testing Australia on 1300 599 529 to have your house or office tested for this silent killer or for any questions you may have regarding carbon monoxide poisoning.